Device for measuring rate of body fluid flow through a tube

Abstract

An implantable flow meter device for measuring flow rate of a body fluid through a tube, such as a catheter and/or a ventriculoperitoneal (“VP”) shunt, comprising a flow meter attachment, in aspects attachable to pre-existing tubes, VP shunts, catheters, and/or peritoneal catheters systems, providing for the capability for physicians to obtain information about the status of the flow rate of the body fluid through the tube. The flow meter can include temperature sensors measuring the body fluid at a first and second position, as well as a heating element applying heat to the body fluid therebetween. A controller can receive the first temperature, the second temperature, and a heat value relating to the heat applied to the body fluid by the heating element, such that a processing device can calculate a flow rate of the body fluid based thereon.

1 . A flow meter for determining a flow rate of body fluid through a tube, the flow meter comprising the following:
 a first temperature sensor measuring a first temperature of the body fluid at a first position along the tube, wherein the first temperature sensor is implanted in a human or animal body;   a heating element applying heat to the body fluid at a second position along the tube, wherein the heating element applies heat to the body fluid after the body fluid passes the first position, and wherein the heating element is implanted in the human or animal body;   a second temperature sensor measuring a second temperature of the body fluid at a third position along the tube, wherein the second temperature sensor is located along the tube at a location after the body fluid passes the second position, and wherein the second temperature sensor is implanted in the human or animal body;   a controller configured to receive the first temperature, the second temperature, and a heat value relating to the heat applied to the body fluid by the heating element; and   a processing device configured to calculate a flow rate of the body fluid through the tube based at least on the first temperature, the second temperature, and the heat value.   
     
     
         2 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a transmitter receiving the flow rate and transmitting the flow rate to a receiver.   
     
     
         3 . The flow meter of  claim 2 , wherein the transmitter transmits the flow rate using at least one wireless transmission technology. 
     
     
         4 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one power system in communication with the controller such that the heat element is operative to apply the heat in response to a power control command from the controller.   
     
     
         5 . The flow meter of  claim 4 , wherein the power system includes at least one battery for storing an electrical charge therein. 
     
     
         6 . The flow meter of  claim 4 , wherein the power system includes at least one charging element for generating an electrical charge. 
     
     
         7 . The flow meter of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one charging element includes a Near-field Communication component. 
     
     
         8 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one receiver in wireless communication with the controller for generating at least one output display based on the flow rate.   
     
     
         9 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , wherein the heat element includes at least one of: a heat generating thermistor, inductive heating circuitry, and resistive heating elements. 
     
     
         10 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , wherein the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor each include at least one of: a thermistor, a resistive temperature detector, a semiconducting temperature sensor, and a thermocouple. 
     
     
         11 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating of the flow rate of the body fluid is based on maintaining a constant temperature differential between the first temperature and the second temperature, such that a power requirement for the heating element to maintain the constant temperature differential is provided for calculating the flow rate. 
     
     
         12 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , wherein the calculating of the flow rate of the body is based on using a defined amount of power to power the heating element and measuring a temperature differential between the first temperature and the second temperature, such that the defined amount of power is provided for calculating the flow rate. 
     
     
         13 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is a shunt, wherein the flow meter is connected to the shunt and a bi-compartmental valve, wherein the bi-compartmental valve acts to modulate the flow rate of the body fluid from a first location along the shunt, to a second location along the shunt. 
     
     
         14 . The flow meter of  claim 13 , wherein the first location is one or more patient ventricle. 
     
     
         15 . The flow meter of  claim 13 , wherein the second location is a fluid receiver. 
     
     
         16 . The flow meter of  claim 13 , wherein the bi-compartmental valve comprises a reservoir for transcutaneous tapping. 
     
     
         17 . The flow meter of  claim 13 , wherein the shunt is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. 
     
     
         18 . The flow meter of  claim 13 , wherein the shunt is a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for treatment of hydrocephalus. 
     
     
         19 . The flow meter of  claim 1 , wherein the tube is a catheter. 
     
     
         20 . The flow meter of  claim 19 , wherein the catheter is a ventricular catheter. 
     
     
         21 . The flow meter of  claim 19 , wherein the catheter is a peritoneal catheter.